spiderwing

It's a rare show that excels with both the SpFX and the science.

OK, to be fair, the science isn't perfect, but they really manage not to wave the 'poof, science is MAGIC' wand while still bending a couple of key principles to make the plot work.

The biggest SpFX of course is the smoothness with which the clones are on the screen at the same time. Add to this the skill with which the actress separates them one from another (Rachel imitating Sarah is just a little bit different from Sarah herself) and you've got a whole second layer of amazing.

I love the characters, the script is clever and funny and terrifying at the same time, and the science doesn't make me cringe. Love this show.

It's a lightweight historical mystery show, one you can watch with little ones (with only occasional skips and blips). I think it's the "Murder She Wrote" of the decade.

It has been years since I've read the book, but I've read it several times and loved it. The story has been massively updated in many ways both to make the technology and politics of the world match modern day, and to meet with the sensibilities of modern audiences. HOWEVER, the 'twist' at the end is perfectly true to form. For those reviewers who are complaining that we've seen it before, yes, because many script writers have read Clarke even if you haven't.

As far as why humanity tolerated the aliens coming in, read between the lines. Think about the powers the aliens have used onscreen. Just assume that those powers have also been used off screen. Direct violence has been tried. We've been shown one conspiracy which was tried. There was resistance, but it was useless. It's just been implied, not shown.

As for those who complain that the Overlord costume is a bit lame, well, it is. SyFy isn't known for it's budget. Having said that, would making the costume better have made a better story?

This show is a really cheesy idea, but it's appealingly packaged.

The main character is a 'private pathologist'. Never mind how such a person is supposed to get enough work to keep him in business in his skeletally staffed high tech lab. He is brilliant enough to see that a supposed murder victim had lethal cancer and committed suicide (because obviously nobody would ever murder someone who is terminally ill). He himself is a walking combination of potentially deadly symptoms, caused by being born three months prematurely, but he looks like, well, a Hollywood hottie, and can certainly work up a sweat, right up until the script calls for him to be pathetically frail.

The characters are fun, and lively, with the possible exception of the romantic interest. I don't think it's really the actress's fault, but her lines in particular are vapid and uninteresting.

I don't hate it, but unless you're a fan of one of the actors involved it's probably not going to make the cut for you.

Like many other viewers, I became interested in this show because I am a Dr. Who fan. I've also enjoyed John Cho in Sleepy Hollow.

The premise is ripe for humiliation comedy (not my thing) but so far it's a gentle little show which I'm enjoying a lot.

The science is solid, the world building is phenomenal. Characters are a little bit flat (at least in the first two episodes) and the plot is slow to develop. This show definitely has potential, we'll see where it goes.

First episode review, I intend to come back later and write more.

I love time travel shows, which this definitely is (more simplistic than 12 Monkeys, but clearly timey wimey weirdness is a major part of the story arc). It's also clearly going to be a disaster of the week -> season arc story (the past has changed microscopically in the first episode, having direct impact that we immediately see in one characters life). There's also one character explicitly shown to have her future predetermined (the one whose past was changed), and one character who it is implied has his future predetermined and who is aware of the uber plot. I'm not sure if this conspiracy plotline is going to get in the way of the story or not.

As far as the social commentary is concerned, yes, it's there. No, it's NOT overdone. I understand the fear that it might not be done well, but that's far better than having it not done at all. For those who object to having matters of race well integrated in a story line, please put on your big girl panties and get over yourselves. It's a source of conflict and character development and it's well integrated into the setting.

It's been hard for me to get a handle on this one, partly because it uses some tropes which I like very much and some which I don't, and partly because it's based in the DC-Baltimore area.

I'm a sucker for the 'imaginary friend is real' schtick, it's always spooky fun. On the other hand, I have a ridiculously low tolerance for kids in danger. Since much of the show revolves around these conceits it's hard for me to get a handle on it. I'm also finding it hard to believe that the one child would 'keep playing' after the opening scenes.

Actually, that's the weakest part of the show. The children, who were chosen because of who their relatives are, all seem to be incredibly malleable and dedicated. None of them get bored with the game, even after they've gotten used to the 'magicy' aspects. None of them get balky or tired or scared, even after scary things happen. They follow complicated directions flawlessly... It's all great horror fodder, but it requires a lot of suspension of disbelief.

The show fails in the hard SF category as well, in all the usual ways. Without spoilers, if the aliens need what they seem to be going after, there are definitely sources of it closer to whatever planet they come from - almost by definition.

As far as the local interest stuff. The house in Bethesda really looks like many houses in Bethesda, so that's a plus. I'm not sure why the FBI agent from the Baltimore regional office would be assigned, since the national office is even closer.

I'm a bit surprised that a Bethesda resident would have a date related to the Colts as a password, but maybe he grew up in Baltimore. Yes, the cities are that close, but they're also that insular...

I really enjoyed what I read of the graphic novel series, and love how this keeps the look and feel of so many of the characters, particularly the Sandman himself.

I didn't mind gender flipping Constantine, but, as much as I love Jenna Coleman, and her portrayal of the character, I would have liked to see the casting with someone a bit more grizzled. (Jenna was as bad a choice as Keanu, in my opinion).

Yet another part of the Dr. Who universe, this one has far less optimism than Dr Who, and far less sex than Torchwood. It goes to some very dark places.

Still, the show is thoroughly enjoyable.